ドラゴンフルーツ
doragonfurūtsu[do̞ɾa̠ɡo̞ɰ̃ ɸɯ̟ɾɯ̟ːt͡sɨ]
The English phrase "dragon fruit" is translated into Japanese as ドラゴンフルーツ (doragonfurūtsu). Wiktionary also lists ピタヤ (pitaya).
Meaning: fruit (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ドラゴンフルーツ | doragonfurūtsu | [do̞ɾa̠ɡo̞ɰ̃ ɸɯ̟ɾɯ̟ːt͡sɨ] (narrow) |
| ピタヤ | pitaya |
Both terms refer to the fruit known as dragon fruit. ドラゴンフルーツ is the standard way to name the fruit in everyday Japanese, while ピタヤ serves as a more technical or botanical term.
Which one should you use?
ドラゴンフルーツ is the most common way to refer to the fruit in Japan, as it is a katakana transliteration of the English name. In contrast, ピタヤ is a more technical term used in specialized contexts or by enthusiasts.
How do you pronounce it?
doragonfurūtsu
Did you know?
- The term ピタヤ comes from the Spanish word 'pitahaya', showing how Japanese botanical terms often bypass English in favor of the language of the fruit's origin.
- In Japanese culinary contexts, the vivid pink variety of ドラゴンフルーツ is sometimes used as a natural food coloring for desserts to create a 'shocking' visual effect.
- Unlike many traditional Japanese fruits that are sold as luxury gifts, ドラゴンフルーツ is often seen as a modern, trendy novelty in supermarkets.
Examples in context
- 私はドラゴンフルーツが好きだ。I like dragon fruit.This sentence is useful for expressing a preference for ドラゴンフルーツ.Tatoeba #1608764 by Bah_Dure, translation #1604652 by Spamster
- ドラゴンフルーツは見た目がとても綺麗ですね。Doragon furūtsu wa mitame ga totemo kirei desu ne.Dragon fruit looks very beautiful.
- スーパーでドラゴンフルーツを買いました。Sūpā de doragon furūtsu o kaimashita.I bought dragon fruit at the supermarket.
Example conversation
Yui and Daito are shopping at a supermarket.
- 結衣 Yui見て！ドラゴンフルーツが売っているよ。mite! doragon furuutsu ga utte iru yoLook! They are selling dragon fruit.
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だ。一つ買ってみようか。hontou da. hitotsu katte miyou kaYou're right. Shall we try buying one?
- 結衣 Yuiうん。ドラゴンフルーツの色が綺麗だね。un. doragon furuutsu no iro ga kirei da neYeah. The color of the dragon fruit is beautiful.
- 大翔 Hirotoそうだね。家に帰って食べてみよう。sou da ne. ie ni kaette tabete miyouIt is. Let's go home and try eating it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dragon fruit” translations and entries ドラゴンフルーツ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
